Interscholastic equestrian competitions are a unique challenge that few horse people ever get the chance to participate in. This type of riding challenges a rider to get good at not just riding one horse like in regular competition, but at riding any horse in a competitive environment. The riders must be brave enough to get on the unknown horse, strong enough to survive intense equitation competition, and versatile enough to compete in several different disciplines.
Many people have heard of college equestrian teams, the IHSA and Varsity Equestrian, but few are familiar with that style of competition or know that there are several organizations that allow riders of any age to compete in those style competitions.
Interscholastic and Intercollegiate equestrian competitions are fairly unique in what they ask of riders and horses. These competitions are a test of equitation unlike most others in the horse show world. Though a random draw, riders are assigned an often unknown horse, on which they have to compete in their given class against riders of similar experience. These classes can involve riding complex reining patters, jumping 3ft courses, or doing complex dressage tests, without any prior experience on the horse or on the course. The riders are judged on how they handle the unknown horse and their equitation. Riders are divided into experience levels so that each rider competes on horses and do courses that are appropriate for their riding level and every rider has a chance to win in the competition. Riders earn points for their placements in classes that add up to a team score which determines which team wins the competition.
The IHSA and Varsity Equestrian are structured slightly differently. The IHSA has riders competing in large groups and compete on different horses for the same level. Varsity equestrian, part of the NCAA, pairs riders and has each pair ride the same horse so that the test is entirely of the rider and not about whether the horse is behaving well that day.
These type of competitions are also available for middle school and high school students to compete on school teams. The IEA and RIFNA have programs that help students get teams started and track points to earn awards and move up in levels. RIFNA offers this type of competition without teams for all ages and experience levels of riders. RIFNA offers classes in Western, Hunt Seat, and Dressage. IEA offers classes in Western, Hunt Seat, and Saddle Seat. RIFNA is available for all ages, elementary school though adult, with team competition available for middle school and high school students. IEA offers classes for middle school and high school students.
Because these competition are separated into ability levels, even novice riders can compete and win. Novice riders are especially valued in college programs because most people who get involved with horses do so before college and therefore don’t qualify for the lowest levels of competition. So if you are a college student interested in riding with little experience, contact your school’s equestrian coach as they may have the perfect spot for you on the team.
This type of competition also allows riders that do not own a horse or that cannot afford to pay the large amounts of money involved in showing a personal horse to ride and compete and improve their riding without a large investment.
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